Page 34 of Restless
Her heart banged against her chest. Fear ran fast and hot inside her. Somehow, she managed not to tremble. “What do you want, mister? If it’s to get my father’s attention by murdering me, kiss your fucking ass goodbye becauseyouwill die, too.”
The only person she was certain of who’d actually killed someone was Aunt Meggie, but Mattie wasn’t stupid enough to admit there was a possibility Daddy had never murdered.
“I don’t want to kill you, sweetheart.”
“You’llhaveto kill me, asshole, since I’d rather die than fuck you.”
Anger blanketed his face, and he reached out to grab her.
“Bitch-ass, fuck you,” she snarled, jabbing her fingers into his eyes, then headbutting him with all her might. He screamed. Bone crunched and blood sprayed onto her face, but she didn’t care.
Seizing her chance, Mattie ran down the incline as fast as she could.
As with all her other forays away from school, the incident was her secret. She’d been too unladylike to ever tell Daddy.
“Here you are, honey.”
“Thanks, Aunt Kendall,” CJ replied, following her into Uncle Johnnie’s library. He halted when he spied his uncle behind his desk, shirtsleeves rolled up.
“Remind Rebel I’m taking her, Mattie, and Harley Christmas shopping tomorrow,” Aunt Kendall said.
“I will. Rebel isn’t too excited because Mom and Dad haven’t returned her debit card yet.”
“I’ll cover whatever she wants,” Aunt Kendall promised. “I’m about to start dinner. Would you like to stay for a meal?”
CJ eyed her with suspicion. “What’s on the menu?”
She smiled. “Kimchi and kelp noodles, beef heart topped with cottage cheese, and a kefir, quinoa, mango, and turmeric pudding for dessert.”
“Uh, I’m not hungry,” CJ said faintly. “Thanks, though.” His stomach growled.
Lifting a brow, Aunt Kendall burst into laughter.
CJ adjusted his rucksack. Uncle Cash had picked him up this afternoon, since CJ overslept and had to hitch a ride with Aunt Bailey when she dropped the girls off this morning. Uncle Cash always came in through the back entrance since his house was closer via this route. Instead of going home and then having to walk through a snowy forest to Uncle Johnnie’s, CJ had asked Uncle Cash to drop him off there.
“What’s really for dinner, gorgeous?” Uncle Johnnie asked, not lifting his head from the documents he was reading.
“Thatisdinner, Johnnie. For me and Mattie. I’m cooking turkey lasagna for you and the boys.”
“Turkey lasagna?” CJ and Uncle Johnnie chorused.
“Yes,” she hissed. “It’s a compromise.”
“I’ll have some, Mom,” Rory announced, loping in and high-fiving CJ.
“Me, too, Aunt Kendall.”
“Fine,” Uncle Johnnie said tightly. “I’ll have some, too.”
“Mom, Mattie’s acting all weird,” JJ complained, walking into the room. “Probably her time of month.”
“Donotdiscuss a lady’s business as if you have a right, son,” Aunt Kendall chastised primly.
“I do,” JJ said. “She turns evil.”
Glaring at Uncle Johnnie, who shrugged, Aunt Kendall sniffed and sailed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
“I agree,” Uncle Johnnie whispered. “We have to know when to hide.”
